Area briefs: SMC wrestling caps off winning season

Staff reports

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 12:22 a.m.

Spartanburg Methodist wrestlers beat East Tennessee State 40-15 Tuesday night and finished the regular season with a 6-5 record all against four-year schools. It was SMC's first winning season in at least 10 years.

The Pioneers will next travel to Long Island, N.Y., for a Feb. 9 qualifier for the JUCO national tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. The top four in each weight category will advance.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senior Rylan Ridenour was named the SEC Male Diver of the Week after a record-setting performance over the weekend.

... University of South Carolina student-athletes set a new standard in the classroom. They ended the Fall 2012 semester with the highest departmental grade point average (GPA) on record, posting a 3.267, surpassing the previous high of 3.202 set in the Fall 2011. Gamecock student-athletes have posted a combined GPA of 3.0 or better for 12 consecutive semesters.

LIMESTONE: Senior guard Tia Williams was named Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Player of the Week after guiding No. 22 Limestone College with 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.7 steals per game in three wins this past week. The Saints are 14-2 on the season following an eight-game win streak and are currently sitting in first place with an 11-1 mark in Conference Carolinas.

<p>Spartanburg Methodist wrestlers beat East Tennessee State 40-15 Tuesday night and finished the regular season with a 6-5 record all against four-year schools. It was SMC's first winning season in at least 10 years.</p><p>The Pioneers will next travel to Long Island, N.Y., for a Feb. 9 qualifier for the JUCO national tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. The top four in each weight category will advance.</p><p>Winners on Tuesday were Edward Contreras (125 pounds) from Dorman High School, Adam Anderson (133) from Boiling Springs, Mitch Johnston (141) from Liberty, Tre Barber (149) from South Pointe, Jonathan Dykes (157) from Marion, Trent Williams from Wando and Michael Clevenger (184) from Boiling Springs.</p><p><b>SOUTH CAROLINA: </b>Senior Rylan Ridenour was named the SEC Male Diver of the Week after a record-setting performance over the weekend.</p><p>... University of South Carolina student-athletes set a new standard in the classroom. They ended the Fall 2012 semester with the highest departmental grade point average (GPA) on record, posting a 3.267, surpassing the previous high of 3.202 set in the Fall 2011. Gamecock student-athletes have posted a combined GPA of 3.0 or better for 12 consecutive semesters.</p><p><b>LIMESTONE: </b>Senior guard Tia Williams was named Conference Carolinas Women's Basketball Player of the Week after guiding No. 22 Limestone College with 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 4.7 steals per game in three wins this past week. The Saints are 14-2 on the season following an eight-game win streak and are currently sitting in first place with an 11-1 mark in Conference Carolinas.</p><p>... The men's volleyball team defeated Erskine 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-23). Eric Zaun led the Saints with 11 kills.</p>